Quick cleaning feeder for pens



RIF. GEORGE 4,479

' QUICK CLEANING FEEDER FOR PENS Filed May 26, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l Ross F. C eowe MQM 4 Jan. 4, 1938.

R. F. GEORGE QUICK CLEANING FEEDER FOR PENS Filed May 26, 1956 Z SheetS-Sheet 2 F1 18 Ross E Georde Patented Jan. 4, 1938 UNITE o STATES PATENT OFFICE 34 Claims.

My invention. relates in general to pens, and more particularly'to underfeeders and overfeeders for .such pens, with mechanism to controlthe operation and movement thereof.

Underfeeders and overfeedershave been used separately and in combination on pens. One. difficulty experienced with such devices was that their use made it awkward to clean the pens and feeders. This drawback was overcome by making both the overfeeders and underfeede'rsswingable with respect to the pen, into positions spaced from the pen. Constructions to accomplish this purpose are shown in my Patent 1,877,295 issued September 13, 1932.

1 In my patent above referred to I disclose mechanism in general for permitting overfeeders and underfeedersv to be swung from operative to open position for cleaning purposes, and also mechanism in general for controlling the movement of one feeder by movement of the other, where both an underfeeder and an overfeeder are used on the same pen. Various types of frictional means are shown to retain the feeders definitely in one closed position. I have found, however, that such frictional holding means requires a. close fitting to make them entirely satisfactory even when new, and more particularly when the feeders become strained or the pivot holes worn. In such cases a slight play occurs, instead of the parts being held securely in position, or since the underfeeder or the overfeeder are each held in one single position, that position may be or may become, especially if the feeder has been bent, one wherein its tip is slightly spaced from and not aligned with the tip of the pen, rather: than being pressed tightly thereagainst. With either feeder in this position the best operation of the pen is not obtained. The feeder tipor tips may stand too far away from the pen tip, or, being fixed in closed position, unyieldingly, the overfeeder in particular severely limits thefiexibility of the pen tip. The pen, practically speaking, has no flexibility because of engagement with its tip by the inflexibly held feeders, and will not feed opaque colors satisfactorily.

It is therefore the principal object of this invention to provide mechanism which will not merely hold an overfeeder in operative position by frictional engagement, but which will exert a positive though yielding force to press the overfeeder or the underfeeder, or both, at all times, and during flexure of the pen tip, into operative engagement with the pen, and which will leave the J pen with practically unimpaired flexibility.

It is also an object to provide such a gentle but positive action upon the overfeeder while still en abling movement of one feeder to control movement of the other, and to enableboth feeders to be held in operative position for either thick or thin inks.

It is a further object to accomplish these results with a device of simple character, having the least possible number of parts, and yet which is exceedingly durable and economical to manufacture, the close tolerances heretofore necessary being increased, and one which is operable properly notwithstanding normal wear or usage.

Another object is to provide spring means, usually integral with the pen, whereby a feeder (or both feeders, as the. casemay be) is yieldingly yet positively held in either the operative or the open position, which spring means engages or controls the feeder throughout its range of movement, and operates to effect. final movement of the feeder: into either such position.

Other objects flowing from the particular construction of my device will appear from a study of the devices: illustrated in the drawings and described hereafter.

My invention comprises the new pen, and the new combination of feeders. therewith, and more particularly the shape and arrangement of the co.- operating parts to accomplish the purposes mentioned, and in a way to facilitate quantity manufacture and assembly.

In the drawings I have illustrated, by way of example, several representative constructions, the important features of which are described in the specification and defined by the claims appended thereto.

Figure l is a plan view of a pen equipped with an overfeeder, and Figures 2 and 3 are longitudinal and transverse sections respectively of the device, taken along the lines 2-2 and 3-3, respectively, of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a spring hinge arrangement, by the action of which the tip of the underfeeder is pressed yieldingly against the pen tip, independently of or in cooperation with pressure transmitted through an overfeeder or from other spring means, and Figure 4a shows a half section of underfeeder illustrating how pressure is applied to the rear end of the feeder through normal tension caused by the natural curve or shape of the pen body.

Figure 5-is a plan view of a modified form of my device, in which both an overfeeder and an underfeeder are employed. Figures G and 7 are longitudinal and transverse sections, respectively, of this form of my device, taken along the lines 6-6 and 1-7, respectively, of Figure 5, and Figure 8 is a bottom plan View of this form.

Figure 9 is a longitudinal section of a further modified form of my device. It embodies the same type of underfeeder shown in the form illustrated in Figures 5 to 8, and an overfeeder having a tip of the type shown in Figure 4, and illustrates how both feeders may be finally thrown by spring means into open position.

Figure 10 is aview similar to Figure 6, illustrating how the tip of the overfeeder may, if de sired, be held slightly spaced from the pen tip, while yet incorporating the advantages mentioned above.

Figure 11 is a top plan view, Figure 12 a longitudinal section, and Figure 13 a bottom plan view, of a modified arrangement, wherein the spring tongue acts on the underfeeder rather than on the overfeeder, the latter being otherwise pressed against the pen tip.

Figures 14,- 15 and 16 are viewscorresponding respectively to Figures 11, 12 and 13, showing an underfeeder only, with a modified arrangement of spring tongue coacting'therewith.

Figure 17 is a longitudinal section of a further modification, corresponding to Figure 6, but wherein both opening and closing'action of one feeder effects corresponding action of the other.

Figure 18 is a longitudinal section, illustrating the'use of separate spring tongues for the overfeeder and underfeeder, respectively.

Figure 19 is a longitudinal section, showing the spring tongue formed on one of the feeders, rather than on'the pen.

Figure 20 is a plan view of an underfeeder, ina form adapted for use in many of the combinations illustrated in other views.

Describing first the form shown in Figures 1 to 3, my device includes an overfeeder 2, pivoted at 26 between ears It struck up from the body I of the pen, The overfeeder may have a tip 2| of a shape generally corresponding with the tip 7 II of the pen with which the overfeeder cooperates. The ears l0, between which the overfeeder is journaled, are struck up from the pen body, leaving an aperture I2'therein. They are spaced sufiiciently that a tongue I3 remains, integral with the shank of the pen, and projects forwardly in such aperture l2, substantially in the plane of the pen body. Since the entire pen is of spring material, this tongue constitutes a spring leaf or tongue supported by one end in cantilever fashion from the pen shank.

The rear portion of the overfeeder 2 is formed with a ridge 29, or is swelled, just forward of the pivot, to provide a space for ink storage between the overfeeder and the pen. Another reservoir is formedbetween the tips of the overfeeder and pen, and a slot or aperture 23 permits ink running down the upper surface of the feeder to reach the latter reservoir. To the rear of the pivot the overfeeder is formed with a heel 22. When the overfeeder is in operative position, with its tip against the tip of the pen, this heel 22 projects rearwardly from the overfeeder pivot and toward the pen body at a slight angle thereto, and bears upon the tongue I3, projecting forwardly from the pen shank.

The spacing outward from the pen body of the apertures which receive the overfeeder journals 26, and their location with respect to the heel 22, is such that when the overfeeder is in operative position with its tip in engagement with the tip of the pen, the rear end of the heel 22 projects slightly inwardly of the general lineofthe pen back. As a result the tongue I3 is deflected by the pressure of the heel 22 thereagainst slightly inwardly of its relaxed position, as shown best in Figure 2. The resiliency of the tongue naturally tends to restore it to its neutral position, and in doing so exerts an outward pressure upon the overfeeder heel to the rear of the overfeeder journal.

As a result of the tendency of the spring tongue l3 to force the heel 22 outward, the tip 2| of the overfeeder, being on the opposite side of the overfeeder journal 26 from the heel 22,

-is pressed inwardly against or in proper working relation with the tip of the pen.

Thus with the parts in operative position the overfeeder tip is continuously being pressed against the tip ll of the pen, and yet when pressure is applied to the inner side of the pen tip, while in use, the pen tip may flex very readily. It is not necessary that the overfeeder likewise be flexed when the pen tip is bent, for the tongue III will yield more as a greater pressure is exertedby the heel 22. Hence'a positive engagement of the overfeeder with thepen is maintained at all times, and in all positions of the pen, and the pressure is substantially uniform no matter how much or little, or in which direction, thepen itself may bend, since the overfeeder is not itself required to bend and the pressure necessary to displace the spring tongue [3 more or less is very slight. Moreover, when the overfeeder is opened, and the heel 22 passes beyond a position normal to the tongue l3, the latter will tend to complete the opening movement, and .to throw the overfeeder into an open position which is substantially 180 from its closed position.

Such a combination may or may not include also an underfeeder 3. Its tip 3| preferably stops somewhat short of the pen tip, and may be apertured at 30 to lead any ink on the underside the pen shank of somewhat elliptical shape, so

disposed as to tend, by the resilience of the pen and the inclination of the trunnions edge, to throw the tip of the underfeeder against the pen, yet yielding and finally throwing the underfeeder into a position at'l80 to the first, as the underfeeder is opened.

Although the device is very simple and economical to construct, it is highly efficient. Since the ears H) are struck up from the body of the pen, they also are resilient. Hence when the journals of the overfeeder are engaged in the apertures therein, they tend to hold the journals securely in place against the pressure of the spring tongue i3. Likewise the tongue l3, besides being simple to form and acting as an eflicient spring, is of very rugged construction. Separate springs applied to a pen are usually bulky and quite delicate. It is difficult to secure such separate springs to the pen, and they are inclined to break upon slight provocation.

Such a feeder, whether underfeeder or overfeeder, may be slit, as indicated at 39 in Figure 20. This gives some resilience in the general plane of the feeder, facilitating engagement of the trunnions 36 in the pivot holes in the pen, regardless of small differences in individual pens.

It also serves to keep the pivot tight, regardless of such differences, or of wear, and thusyrenders manufacturing and assembling easier and cheaper, since close tolerances need not be observed. The hole 30 also serves a useful purpose in manufacture, especially if the feeder is appreciably shaped, as by being swelled. or cupped. It is small, and most difiicult to hold properly in a forming die, especially adjacent the tip which is to be cupped. This hole permits use of a register pin in the forming die, and facilitates flow of the surrounding metal, with greatly improved quality and fewer imperfect feeders.

In the form illustrated in Figures 5 to 8 the pen has a different shape of tip II. The overfeeder has a correspondingly shaped tip 2!,-

which stops just short of the end of the pen tip. The overfeeder tip 2! may be provided with an upset portion 24 to form a local storage reservoir, and this portion may be apertured or slotted at 23' to facilitate manufacture, to assistthe feeding operation, and to admit ink from the upper surface of the feeder to this local reservoir. The underfeeder 3 incorporated in this form is quite similar to that previously described.

If it is desired that the underfeeder and overfeeder operate together, both being opened or both being closed at the same time, the heels of the two feeders are arranged to cooperate. To enable such operation the heel of the overf eeder, instead of terminating as in the form shown in Figure 1, is apertured at 25 to receive the spring tongue, and the rear portion is bent into a position generally normal to the overfeeder, to form the heel 22. The spring tongue then engages the upper edge of the aperture 25 to press the tip of the overfeeder against the tip of the pen in a manner similar to that accomplished by the construction shown in Figures 1 to 3, as described, or to throw the overfeeder finally into full open position.

The downwardly projecting overfeeder heel 22 engages the heel 3! of the underfeeder to the rear of the underfeeder journals 36, when the feeders are in operative position. By such engagement the underfeeder, even though it were not to be spring pressed against the pen, nevertheless would be held securely in operative position. It is not so important that the underfeeder be held resiliently because it lies well back of the pen tip, and it may even be spaced slightly from the pen in operative position without appreciably affecting its utility.

With the parts in the operative position, as best shown in Figure 6, then, the overfeeder is held with its tip spring pressed against the tip of the pen. The underfeeder, on the other hand, is in effect locked in operative position by the engagement of the heel 22 behind the underfeeder journal. When it is desired to swing the overfeeder and underfeeder to open position for cleaning purposes, the overfeeder will be raised against the action of the spring l3. Movement of the heel 22 forward into the position shown in Figure 9 will release the underfeeder 20 that it may swing freely, or, if its journal is of the type shown in Figure 411, it can be swung open against the action of the pen. Figure 9 illustrates how the spring action of the tongue I3, in continuous engagement with the heel of the overfeeder, throws the overfeeder 2 finally into open position, and holds it there, and the spring action of the journals 36 accomplishes a like result for the underfeeder. All the parts, the pen "as well as the underfeeder and oyerfeeder, may be cleaned easily in this open position. When it is desired to close the parts, the heel 22 of the overfeeder, as the latter is swung forward, will engage the underfeeder and press it forward towards operative position. ment the heel 22' will slip past the portion of .the underfeeder in alignment with the journals into the position shown in Figure 6, in which the underfeeder will be locked in operative position once more, while the overfeeder will be pressed against the pen tip.

It will therefore be seen that by the provision of the spring 53 cooperating with the overfeeder, although the pen itself or the overfeeder or underfeeder may become slightly bent out of their proper shapes, or those apertures in the ears id or receiving the journals 36 may become worn to some extent, the overfeeder tip will still be pressed firmly but yieldingly into engagement with the tip of the pen, and the underfeeder will be held securely in operative position. If it is desired to insure positive pressure of the un-derfeeder against the pen as well as the overfeeder, this may be accomplished by making the heel iii of the underfeeder of resilient material, and designing it and the overfeeder heel i i with such proportions that a positive pressure will be exerted between these parts when the underfee-der is closed. If it is desired to hold the tip 2% of the overfeeder away from the pen tip, in operative position--as some users prefer, or as may be required for thick ink-this can be done by turning up the heel of the underfeeder, as shown at 32' (Figure 10) to engage the heel 22 of the overfeeder and to limit the latters closing movement to a position wherein its tip 2! stands away somewhat from the pen tip i I.

in Figures ll, 12 and 13 is shown a reversal of the action of the spring tongue, it acting in this instance against the underfeeder rather than against the overfeeder. Thus as seen in Figures 11 and 12 the tongue i3 is pressed downwardly somewhat from the general curvature of the pen, and the heel 32 of the underfeeder is directed upwardly to the rear of its pivot 36 so that the tongue it bears upon the heel 32 and presses the tip of the underfeeder against the tip of the pen. The overfeeder may be provided with a pivot 25*? similar to that shown in Figures i and 4a for the underfeeder, or the ears it? may be somewhat pressed inwardly and bear against the inclined side edges of the overfeeder 2, just forwardly of the pivot 26*, by their inward pressure tending to throw the tip of the overfee-der against the tip of the pen and yieldingly holding it in this position.

In Figures 14, 15 and 16 the overfeeder is omitted, and only an underfeeder is employed, and instead of the tongue l-B pressing downwardly against the heel of the underfeeder to the rear of its pivot 36 the tongue i3 is bent around beneath the underfeeder to press upwardly against the latter forwardly of its pivot 3 In order that the underieeder may swing open it is provided with an aperture 31 through which the tongue may pass, and it will be observed that when the underfeeder has been swung open through an angle somewhat greater than the bearing of the tongue 53 against the opposite or normally upper side of the un-derfeeder will tend to complete the opening movement and to throw the underfeeder into its open position and to hold it there.

In Figure 17 the underfeeder and overfeeder Upon further movel;-

cooperate in such a way that movement of one, the overfee-der for example, toward open position, positively accomplishes movement of the underfeeder toward open position, and vice versa. This form is in many respects similar to that shown in Figures 5, 6, '7 and 8, save that the underfeeder is provided with a cam-like surface 38 immediately forward of its pivot 36, whereon the heel 22' of the overfeeder bears as the overfeeder is swung toward open position, thus positively throwing the underfeeder away from the pen toward its open position. With the two feeders in open position, unless the underfeeder has been swung through nearly 180 from its closed position, the swinging of the heel 22 of the overfeeder toward closed position will engage the heel 32 of the underfeeder and accomplish closing of the underfeeder as the overfeeder moves to its closed position, thus effecting the movement of the underfeeder in each direction by the corresponding movement of the overfeeder.

Figure 18 illustrates the overfeeder and underfeeder each controlled and pressed to the tip of the pen by a separate spring tongue. The tongue l3, as before, may control movement of the'overfeeder 2, and to control movement of the underfeeder 3 I provide a separate tongue M which is shown as projecting rearwardly. Thus arranged the two feeders do not operate the one the other, but each may be opened independently for cleaning, and each is independently yet resiliently pressed against the tip H of the pen.

In the form shown in Figure 19 the heel 22' of the overfeeder bears upon a spring tongue l5 which is formed as an integral part of the underfeeder 3, rather than as part of the pen. In this way both feeders are resiliently pressed towards the tip of the pen, and the tongue I5 serves substantially the same purposes as the tongue 13 in the other forms.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In combination with a pen, an underfeeder and an overfeeder pivotally mounted thereon, and spring means cooperating with said feeders to press the tips of both yieldingly and simultaneously towards the pen tip.

2. In combination with a pen, an underfeeder and an overfeeder pivotally mounted thereon, means carried by one of said feeders and yieldingly engaging the other to press the latters tip towards the pen tip, and separate spring means to yieldingly press the tip of the first feeder towards the pen tip.

3. A pen having an aperture in its shank, and a spring tongue integral with the shank and projecting into such aperture, and a feeder pivotally mounted upon said pen, having a heel engaged with and in all positions movable with respect to said spring tongue, thereby to press the tip of the feeder at all times, and during flexure of the pen tip, towards the latter.

4. In combination with a pen, an underfeeder and an overfeeder pivotally mounted thereon, and two spring tongues formed on the pen shank and engaging each its respective feeder to yieldingly press it towards the pen tip.

5. In combination with a pen, a feeder having fiat pivot trunnions opposite edges of which are inclined, the pen shank having an elongated hole adjacent each edge, wherein said trunnions are closely received, whereby the feeder tip is pressed by the spring action of the pen shank, acting upon the inclined edges of the trunnions, towards the pen tip.

6. In combination with a pen, a feeder having two pivot trunnions projecting from opposite sides, the corresponding edge of each trunnion 5 being substantially parallel to the pivot axis, and the other edge inclined with respect thereto, and the pen shank having round pivot apertures adjacent each edge, wherein said trunnions are closely received, whereby the feeder tip is pressed 10 by the spring action of the shank towards the pen tip.

'7. A feeder for use with a pen, comprising a blank having a tip at one end and oppositely directed pivot trunnions adjacent its opposite end,'.15 said feeder being slit intermediate said trunnions and substantially at right angles to its pivot axis.

8. In combination with a pen, a feeder having oppositely directed pivot trunnions, the pen shank having opposite apertures to receive said trun- 2O nions, and the feeder being slit, between the trunnions, to afford transverse elasticity in the plane of the feeder at the trunnions.

9. In combination with a pen, an underfeeder and an overfeeder pivotally mounted thereon, 25 spring means cooperating with said feeders to press their tips yieldingly towards the pen tip, and means engageable between the feeders to limit their movement, and to hold the tip of one feeder spaced from the pen tip, in closed:30 position.

10. In combination with a pen, an underfeeder and an overfeeder pivotally mounted thereon, spring means formed on one feeder, and means on the other feeder engageable with said spring 3 means to press the tips of both feeders yieldingly towards the pen tip.

11. In combination with a pen, a feeder pivotally mounted thereon to swing from closed to open position, and spring means formed to yield- 40 ingly engage with said feeder throughout its range of movement, to hold it in any desired position.

12. In combination with a pen having a spring tongue disposed in its body, a feeder pivotally mounted upon said pen to swing from an operative to an open position, the tip of said feeder in operative position lying adjacent the nibs of the pen to form therewith a reservoir, and said feeder having a heel on the opposite side of its A pivot support from its tip, and formed and disposed to engage said spring tongue both in its operative and open positions, to be held by the tongue in either such position.

13. In combination with a pen having an aperture in its body and a spring tongue extending into such aperture, an underfeeder and an overfeeder each pivotally mounted upon said pen to swing from an operative position, wherein its tip is held close to the pen nibs to form a reservoir to an open position, wherein the feeder tip is spaced from the pen, one of said feeders having a heel on the opposite side of its pivot axis from its tip, and so formed and disposed to engage said spring tongue both in its operative and open positions, to be held by the tongue in either such" position, and the heel portions of the two feeders interengaging and being so formed that move ment of one effects movement of the other.

14. In combination with a pen, a feeder pivotally supported therefrom and extending forward adjacent to the tip thereof, and a resilient tongue formed as an integral part of the pen body engaging said feeder to yieldingly press the feeder tip towards the pen tip in all operative positions, and during flexure of the pen tip. 5315- 15. In combination with a pen, a feeder extending along the pen to a point adjacent to the tip thereof, supports formed in the pen body and pivotally holding said feeder, and spring means substantially parallel to the pen body engaging the feeder to swingably press thefeeder tip into operative relation with the tip of the pen, and yieldingly holding it in operative relation during flexure of the pen tip.

16. In combination with a pen having an aperture in the body thereof, an overfeeder pivotally supported therefrom to swing from an operative position, wherein it extends forward adjacent to the tip of the pen, to an open position wherein its tip is swung away from the pen tip, and said overfeeder having a heel extending rearwardly from the pivot axis and freely movable through the aperture in the pen body, and a tongue formed as an integral part of the pen body, extending forward into the aperture, andengaging the overfeeder heel, said heel and tongue being so formed and disposed as to throw the overfeeder, by spring action, into either the open position or the operative position, and to hold it yieldingly in either such position.

17. In combination, a pen having oppositely facing, longitudinally extending ears struck up to form a central aperture, and to leave a resilient tongue extending longitudinally from the pen body into the central portion of such aperture, and an overfeeder disposed between said ears and journaled therein, extending forward toa point adjacent to the pen tip, and having a heel portion extending rearwardly into pressing engagement with said resilient tongue.

18. In combination with a pen, an overfeeder pivotally supported therefrom and having a heel extending rearwardly from the pivot axis, an underfeeder also pivotally supported from the pen and having a heel extending rearwardly from the pivot axis, spring means carried by the pen engaging the heel of one of said feeders to press its tip into engagement with the pen, and the heel of such spring pressed feeder engaging the heel of the other feeder to yieldingly hold it in operative position with its tip adjacent to the pen, and to flip it open as the first feeder is swung open, away from the pen.

19. In combination, a pen having an aperture therein, a resilient tongue integral with the pen body extending into the central portion of such aperture, an underfeeder pivotally supported from the pen, and an overfeeder also pivotally supported from the pen, and having an apertured heel extending rearwardly and then downwardly through the pen aperture to engage the underfeeder and to press the latters tip into engagement with the pen, said tongue projecting through the aperture in the overfeeder heel and engaging the edge thereof to press the overfeeder tip into positive engagement with the tip of the pen.

20. In combination, a pen having oppositely facing, longitudinally extending ears struck up to form a central aperture, and to leave a resilient tongue extending longitudinally from the pen body into the central portion of such aperture, an underfeeder pivotally supported from the pen and having a heel extending rearwardly therefrom, and an overfeeder disposed between said ears and journaled therein, extending forward to a point adjacent to the pen tip, and having an apertured heel extending rearwardly and then downwardly through the pen aperture to engage the underfeeder heel, thus to move the underfeeder into operative position as the overfeeder is moved into operative position, and to lock it in such position, said resilient tongue projecting through the aperture in the overfeeder heel and engaging the edge thereof to urge the overfeeder tip into positive engagement with the tip of the penand to hold it yieldingly in such position, and a cam member formed on the heel of the underfeeder, and engageable by the heel of the overfeeder upon opening movement of the latter,to positively move the underfeeder towards open position.

21. In combination with a pen, an overfeeder supported therefrom and extending forward adjacent to the tip thereof, and spring means .positively pressing such overfeeder against the tip of the pen, and yieldable to permit swinging movement of the overfeeder upon pressure thereagainst by the pen as the nibs are flexed, or to permit a controlled swinging movement to open position, for cleaning.

22. In combination with a pen, a feeder supported therefrom, and spring means integral with the pen body, positively pressing the forward end of such feeder towards the pen at all times, and during fiexure of the pen tip.

23. In combination with a pen, a feeder supported therefrom, and spring means integral with the pen body, positively pressing against the feeder, holding its. forward end at all times, and during flexure of the pen tip, in working relation with the marking tip of the pen.

24. In combination with a pen, a feeder pivotally supported therefrom and extending forward along the pen in operative position, and having a heel extending rearward from the feeders pivot axis, said feeder being swingable from such operative position, and spring means integral with the pen body, contacting said heel, and urging it away from the pen body, thus tending to swing the feeder upon its axis, such movement being limited solely by engagement of the feeder tip with the pen tip.

25. In combination with a pen, a feeder generally fiat at its heel portion, and pivoted thereon upon an axis lying in the general plane of the feeder, said feeder being slit or pierced transversely of its pivot axis to give greater flexibility.

26. In combination with a pen, a feeder supported therefrom, and spring means acting upon said feeder at all times, and during fiexure of the pen tip, holding the tip of the feeder in working relation with the marking tip of the pen.

27. In combination with a pen, a feeder swingably supported therefrom, and spring means to hold the feeder yieldably in a closed position, i

wherein the feeder tip is disposed in working relation to the pen tip, or in an open position, wherein the feeder tip is thrown back away from the pen tip.

28. In combination with a pen, a feeder mounted thereon, and spring means integral with the pen, engageable with the feeder to press the latters tip at all times, and during flexure of the pen tip, yieldingly towards the pen tip.

29. In combination with a pen, an overfeeder mounted thereon, and spring means engageable with the overfeeder to press the latters tip at all times, and during flexure of the pen tip, yieldingly towards the pen tip.

30. In combination with a pen of resilient material, having a generally rounded cross section, a feeder having pivot trunnions projecting from opposite sides, which trunnions are wider, in the general plane of the feeder, than their thickness, and the transversely extending edges of which converge outwardly, the pen shank having pivot apertures adjacent each edge, wherein said trunnions are closely received, whereby, due to the curvature of pen and the shape of the trunnions and their edges, the feeder tip is yieldingly pressed by the spring action of the shank towards the pen tip;

31. In combination with a pen, a feeder mounted thereon, means acting upon the feeder to yieldingly hold the latters tip in operative relationship to, and to press it towards, the pens tip, and means limiting the movement of the feeders tip towards the pens tip.

32. In combination with a pen, an underfeeder and an overfeeder pivotally mounted thereon, spring means cooperating with said feeders to press the tip of at least one feeder yieldingly towards the pen tip, and means to limit the movement of the feeders, and to hold the tip of at least one feeder spaced from the pen tip, in closed position.

33. In combination, a pen having oppositely facing, longitudinally extending ears struck up to form a central aperture, and to leave a resilient tongue integral with and extending from the pen body into such aperture, a feeder journaled in said ears, and extending forward to a point adjacent to the pen tip, and having a pressextending rearwardly and then downwardly through the pen aperture to engage the underfeeder heel, thus to move the underfeeder into operative position as the overfeeder is moved into operative position, and to yieldingly hold it in such position, and a stop member upon the heel of the underfeeder, engageable by the heel of the overfeeder to limit the movement of the overfeeder towards its operative position, said resilient tongue engaging one of said feeders to urge their tips towards operative engagement with the pen tip, and to hold them yieldingly in such position.

ROSS F. GEORGE. 

